Jaguar XKR Portfolio Part 2: Interior & User Experience

Jaguar cars have always offered some of the finest interiors in the automotive world, with no shortage of rich leather, wood veneers and old-world British craftsmanship making for incredibly luxurious environments. But what happens when you put a racy "R" badge on the boot lid and an even racier 420 HP, supercharged V8 under the bonnet of one of these fancy Jags? Is the result a car that suffers from some kind of split personality? Or can high-luxury and high-horsepower coexist within this most-British of marques?

Available as both a convertible and a coupe, the limited edition Jaguar XKR Portfolio offers up what is without doubt one of the finest interiors in the automotive world. The fuzzy, suede-like headliner is so smooth and soft it will remind you of your favorite childhood blanky. The hand-crafted oak veneers and soft-grain leather give this car a super-premium look and feel. There are even leather-edged floor mats for crying out loud. How's that for decadent?

So there's no shortage of luxury materials in the XKR coupe. And they're assembled with great craftsmanship, as you'd expect in a $100,000 car. The "R" interior includes red contrast stitching - which looks fabulous - and aluminum accelerator and brake pedals. More performance oriented are the 16-way power seats with adjustable side bolstering and the paddles located on the steering wheel that control the fantastic six-speed automatic transmission.

And while these items offer a nice contrast to the typical Jaguar opulence, the XKR - "R" badge aside - is still a luxury coupe first. A ridiculously fast luxury coupe, but a luxury coupe nonetheless. And as such, the Jag excels at providing its occupants with a safe, quiet environment in which to enjoy their journey.

Our last experience with a Jag left us uninspired with its audio system. This time however, the Bowers & Wilkins system blew me away. Featuring 525 watts and Kevlar speakers, its clarity and its bass are seriously impressive.

A familiar element from other current Jags, a 7-in. touch screen interface controls everything from the DVD-based navigation to the climate control to the audio system to your blue tooth telephone. It functions well, but its graphics still look dull compared to others on the market and at times it seems irritatingly slow in its reactions.

So there are a few things that could be refined, but when is that not the case? As it turns out, the Jaguar XKR Portfolio doesn't suffer from any sort of personality disorder. In fact, it mixes traditional British luxury with Jaguar's sporting heritage in perfect proportion. Capable of pampering and performing in equal parts, the gorgeous limited edition Jaguar coupe will surely find many buyers looking for its exquisite blend of both high-end luxury and serious speed.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 3: Performance

Jaguar XKR Portfolio

Performance
- Acceleration: Big horsepower and torque from the supercharged V8 plus BIG traction from the 285 section rear tires add up to instant acceleration
- Handling: Active eCATS suspension helps when speed builds, but only to a point - more GT than sportscar
- Braking: Big optional Alcon six-piston calipers bring things to a standstill immediately with zero fade in road use

Design
- Exterior: Great looking rear 3/4 and side view - slightly less successful from the front - some excellent detailing, some less so
- Interior: Typical Jaguar opulence - the world's best headliner

Utility
- Comfort: Great seats and every convenience item you'd expect
- Space: Headroom a bit limited in cozy cabin - back seats as useful as Humpback whale's pelvic bone

Safety
- Dynamics: Chassis leans toward luxury more than sport, but there's plenty of moves here to avoid trouble
- Technology: Active eCATS suspension plus traction and stability control and all of the requisite airbags

Value
- Price: Suspect at just over $100k loaded, but competitors cost more - if the past is any indicator, depreciation might be an issue
- Mileage: Big V8 and supercharger would have you think big appetite, but not too shabby considering - six-speed auto helps

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Lovely to look at and plenty fast, but doesn't quite stir the soul
- Fun to spank: Prefers a brisk cruise to hooligan behavior - out of sorts at silly speeds

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Rear wheel drive
Engine: 4.2 liter, supercharged V8
Power (SAE): 420 hp @ 6250 rpm
Torque: 413 lbs-ft @ 4000
Redline: 6250 rpm
Gearbox: 6 speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3820 lbs.
0-60 mph: 4.2 sec.
1/4 mile: 12.6 sec. @ 111 mph
Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
Mileage: 15 city / 23 highway
Base Price: $ 95,675
Competitors: Maserati Gran Turismo, BMW M6, Mercedes-Benz SL550